NC bill could ban participation trophies for local youth sports

Participation trophies in youth sports could be banned in North Carolina if a new bill filed in the state Senate passes into law.

Sen. Timothy Moffitt, a Hendersonville Republican, introduced SB 430, “Eliminate Participation Trophies,” on Thursday. It would prohibit some sports leagues from awarding children except on the basis of their performance.

“Youth sports or other youth recreation activities operated under the authority of a local government shall not include awards for participants based solely on their participation in the sport or other activity,” the bill says. “Awards provided in connection with the activity, if any, shall be based on identified performance achievements.”

The bill does not specify an age range for the children it would apply to, simply referring to activities for “youth.”

Republican senators Bobby Hanig and Eddie Settle are also named as bill sponsors.

Moffitt did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday.